AI PSA time!

You might remember the GenAI Productivity Upgrade I mentioned last week? We're already 40% sold out, which is either brilliant news for early birds or a proper wake-up call for procrastinators.

Inventium's 12-week GenAI Productivity Upgrade starts July 14. And we will spill the beans on how the savvy folk are saving 40+ hours every month using AI like a pro, whilst everyone else is still getting sub-standard outputs from poorly thought-out prompts. With only a limited number of spots left and enrolments closing July 9, the snooze-you-lose brigade might actually lose out.

​Grab your spot before it vanishes because come Christmas, you'll either be the colleague everyone's secretly envious of (hello, 4-day work weeks) or the one still grinding away wondering how everyone else got so bloody efficient.

(Also: today is the last chance to take advantage of our special early bird discount of $300. Expires at midnight on Wednesday June 18. Enter code EB300 at checkout).

Now, onto today's tip...

Have you ever found yourself typing frantically into ChatGPT while a brilliant idea is rapidly fading from your mind? Or wished you could just talk through a problem with someone who won't judge your half-baked concepts, interrupt with their own stories, or somehow turn every conversation into a detailed account of their recent home renovation?

Well, there's a feature on many AI tools that's been changing how I work: Advanced Voice Mode.

What is Advanced Voice Mode, exactly?

Advanced Voice Mode lets you have an actual verbal, back-and-forth conversation with your AI assistant. Instead of typing your thoughts, you simply speak them aloud, and the AI responds with its own (VERY enthusiastic) voice.

This might sound like a small convenience (like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone – no big deal, right?), but the shift from typing to speaking creates a fundamentally different experience. It feels more natural, more intuitive, and frankly, more human.

The best part? It's already available on most major AI platforms including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. (Unfortunately, my beloved Claude hasn't joined the voice party yet.)

Why talking beats typing for complex thinking

I've discovered that voice mode unlocks entirely new ways of using AI that simply don't work as well when typing. Here's why:

It captures your stream of consciousness. When you're pacing around your office thinking through a complex problem or going for a "problem solving" walk around the block, you can just verbalise your thoughts without stopping to type them out. The ideas flow more naturally and there's no risk of developing carpal tunnel from your eureka moments.

It's perfect for collaborative brainstorming. Something magical happens when you can riff with an AI through voice – it feels like having a thought partner who never gets tired, judges your half-baked ideas, or steals your concepts and presents them as their own in the next meeting.

It obliterates the blank page problem. Rather than staring at an empty document like you're having a staring contest with your own inadequacy, you can simply start talking about what you're trying to create, and the conversation organically builds toward a solution.

My favourite (work) use cases

Having worked with various clients at Inventium on how to get the most out of Advanced Voice Mode, I've found that these use cases have been particularly popular:

Preparing for difficult conversations. Before a challenging meeting, outline the situation to the AI and then role-play different approaches. The AI can even simulate how the other person might respond, helping you anticipate reactions. It's like having a sparring partner who won't hold a grudge when you practice delivering tough feedback.

Developing presentations. When creating a talk, verbally sketch out your initial thinking, then ask the AI to challenge your structure, highlight weak points, or suggest more impactful ways to frame key ideas. It's like having a presentation coach who doesn't charge exorbitant rates or make you do weird vocal exercises.

Thinking through complex problems. Some issues are too nuanced to capture in text prompts. Walking through your thinking verbally helps the AI understand the full context and nuance of what you're grappling with, without you having to become a prompt engineering PhD just to get a decent response.

My favourite (non-work) use cases

Beyond work, Advanced Voice Mode opens up very useful personal applications:

Some people use it as a reflective tool – getting the AI to "interview" them about their goals, challenges, or decision-making processes. This structured questioning can unlock insights you might not reach on your own. Plus, unlike your actual friends, the AI won't get bored after 20 minutes of you talking about your five-year plan.

Others find it helpful as a sort of pseudo-coach or even counsellor. While AI absolutely cannot replace trained professionals, it can provide a judgment-free space to articulate feelings or concerns, especially for those who might be hesitant to open up to another person initially. It's therapy-adjacent without the awkward small talk about the weather while you're settling into your session.

Important caveats

Of course, a few crucial warnings:

AI is not a substitute for professional advice. While these tools can help you reflect and organise your thinking, they should never replace qualified medical, legal, or mental health professionals. Your AI assistant didn't go to medical school, despite what its confident tone might suggest.

Be critical of probabilities and specific claims. AI might suggest something is "possible" without contextualising how likely or unlikely it actually is. Always verify important information.

Remember you're still talking to a machine. Despite the increasing naturalness of these conversations, AI doesn't have lived experience or genuine empathy – it's mimicking understanding through pattern recognition.

Getting started today

If you haven't tried Advanced Voice Mode yet, it's worth experimenting with. Look for the microphone or voice icon in your preferred AI tool and give it a go. Start with something low-stakes, such as brainstorming weekend plans or talking through a minor work challenge.

I've found that speaking to AI rather than typing to it creates a completely different relationship with the technology. It transforms AI from a tool you use to a collaborator you work with, and that subtle shift makes all the difference. It's gone from being my digital assistant to my digital colleague.

Have you tried talking to your AI yet? I'd love to hear about your experiences – hit reply and let me know if voice mode has changed how you work, or if you're still in the "typing like it's 1999" camp.

Cheers

Amantha

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